Biennale des Bijoutiers-Créateurs

The Biennale des Bijoutiers-Créateurs: The Art of Contemporary Jewelry

The Biennale des Bijoutiers-Créateurs is the unmissable event for creative jewelry in the Loire department. Organized every two years at La Cure, the center for artistic crafts of Roannais Agglomération, this event highlights the exceptional know-how of jewelers-creators from all over France and beyond.

A History Rooted in the Territory

The first edition of the Biennale was launched in 2009, driven by the vision and talent of jeweler François Allier, an emblematic figure of the Roannais art craft. Based in Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire, François Allier has rallied a community of passionate creators around him. His children, Aurélien and Noémie Allier, have taken up the torch with the boutique-workshop Les Bijoux de l'Oppidum, perpetuating this tradition of artisanal excellence. From one edition to the next, the Biennale has become a benchmark event that attracts an ever-larger audience.

An Exceptional Exhibition-Sale

Each edition brings together about twenty jewelers-creators rigorously selected by an artistic committee. These artisans present their creations in the spaces of La Cure, offering visitors a unique panorama of contemporary jewelry. The materials worked are as varied as they are surprising:

• Precious metals: gold, silver, platinum
• Natural materials: wood, horn, bone, stones
• Contemporary materials: glass, resin, ceramic, textile

The pieces exhibited range from revisited traditional jewelry to the most avant-garde creations, testifying to the richness and diversity of this art.

A Rich Program Around Jewelry

Beyond the exhibition-sale, the Biennale offers a full program of activities:

• Conferences: meetings with art historians, museum curators, and specialists in contemporary jewelry.
• Discovery workshops: introductions to jewelry-making techniques (soldering, chasing, enameling) led by professional artisans.
• Live demonstrations: creators showcase their skills to the public, explaining each step of jewelry making.
• Partner exhibition: the Joseph Déchelette Museum in Roanne presents a thematic exhibition “Inspired Jewelry,” creating a dialogue between heritage collections and contemporary creations.

La Cure: A Showcase for Artistic Crafts

La Cure is a cultural and tourist facility of Roannais Agglomération located in the heart of the medieval village of Saint-Jean-Saint-Maurice-sur-Loire, overlooking the Loire gorges. This remarkable site houses artisan workshops, a craft creations shop, an exhibition space, and a tourist information point. The architecture of the place, between ancient stones and contemporary design, offers an exceptional setting for showcasing artistic crafts.

A Free Event Open to All

True to its mission of democratizing access to art, the Biennale des Bijoutiers-Créateurs is an entirely free event. Free admission allows all audiences—informed amateurs, collectors, the curious, or families—to discover the fascinating world of creative jewelry in a friendly and accessible atmosphere.